Cable’s bid to lead Lib Dems – at 74

VINCE Cable announced yesterday that he will stand for the Lib Dem leadership at the age of 74 on a pledge to stop Brexit.

The former business secretary said he would offer a second referendum on the deal and would work with other ‘ like- minded’ parties. He described Brexit as an ‘iceberg’ about to hit the economy.

Sir Vince is the first to throw his hat into the leadership ring after Tim Farron resigned, saying he could not reconcile his politics and his Christian faith.

He was a member of the coalition government before losing his seat in the party’s near-wipeout in 2015.

He was returned as Twickenham MP in the General Election but many had thought he wouldn’t seek the leadership due to his age.

He could potentially be 79 when the next general election is called in 2022 but he insisted he was not too old to take the job, citing William Gladstone, who governed in his 80s, and Sir Winston Churchill, who was 80 when he stepped down as leader.

If elected, he would be the party’s oldest ever leader.

Former health minister Norman Lamb has indicated he is considering a bid for the leadership and was bookies’ favourite before Sir Vince took the top spot. Sir Ed Davey, the former energy secretary, has also said he is giving ‘serious thought’ to standing.

Former favourite Jo Swinson, 37, another ex-minister, has ruled herself out, and was elected deputy leader yesterday after saying that politics was a ‘marathon, not a sprint’.

Mr Farron called her the ‘future of the Liberal Democrats’, adding: ‘Jo is a brilliant campaigner. I am in no doubt she will be a fantastic deputy leader.’